Be The Hand That Holds The Rope.... Poem by RIC BASTASA

don't you dare
putting your head on the loop
and letting the rope
decide about it

it is indeed an insult to the
brain that resides there
to the heart that still loves
to the spirit that still soars
to the body that is jibing with
the soundness of the mind

do not bend your head
and let your feet decide your life
be the hand that holds the rope
and be the first to catch the
black cow with the sharpest horn
in this exciting rodeo

let their hands clap for you
let them shout, 'bravo! bravo! '
do not let them sing the
requiem song for you.